The New Kel

@@facebro29, @@Nerdgrl We were all sleeevd aroud the same time (I was Oct 3), so it's great to see your updates. I am happy to hear that you both are finally feeling better! I have been doing ok, mostly good. I just get a bit of nausea and a headache sometime, but all in all, good! I've lost 7 lbs since surgery day, but I had lost 17 lbs during my two week pre-op diet so all considered 24 lbs gone! I am curious to know what you are eating/drinking at this stage. I am still on full liquids. Can't wait till I can have real food again, lol! (my saving grace is a little bit of tomato basil bisque Soup in the evenings.) Best to you both!

I grew up in Auburn! Then lived in Sacramento for ages. I now live in El Paso, Texas. Sure do miss my old stomping grounds! @@QueenOfTheTamazons

Same here! The protien shakes are now making me nauseous. I was sleeved Oct 3, and now am pretty much having exactly what @@BetterOffRed is having- two shakes (forcing them down and it takes forever) plus a yogurt and strained Soup in the evening. Tonight I had tomato basil....yum!

I can manage 60-80 oz a day. But I am only able to stomach half the protien shakes. Those make me nauseous..

Thank you @@suzyquzy, @@NikkiDoc, @@MayMarie, @@sc101071 for your recipies! They all sound yummy! Can't wait to try!

Best wishes for an easy surgery and speedy recovery!

I am looking ahead to when I can eat more normal foods. In about 6 weeks, when it is getting cold outside, I would like to have a couple healthy WLS friendly chili recipies. Perhaps with turkey? Any good recipes out there?

I have bcbs as well. When I got approved the letter got mailed to my address and I recieved it about 4 or 5 days later. Hope that helps!

Exactly!

I was sleeved on the 3rd, 8 days ago. Everything is going very well except that I am begining to absolutely hate my protien shakes, and they are the only source of protien I am allowed to have at this stage (full liquid), I hate them so much now that I am only able to get down 2 a day. Which mean that by 3 or 4 pm the last couple days I feel weak. Tryng to get some calories in by having strained Soups. How have you all been handling the full liquids phase?

My local deli has low sodium roast beef and other low sodium cold cuts. The trick is getting them from the deli where they slice it for you rather than the pre-packaged stuff which is loaded with sodium and not as tasty. I have been choosing low sodium deli meats for a few years now, and the quality is much better! Some experienced people here have recommeded rolling up cheese and a low fat condiment like mustard/low fat mayo with it.

I second the layering idea. I am still 9 days away from "real" food, but have already decided I am going to try this. Take the 4 oz container and layer with your taco favorites, minus the tortilla. I don't like Beans, so mine will be lean ground beef, cheese, tomatoes and salsa and taco seasoning, equaling about 4oz altogether.

@@ella37, I think it's normal to be scared! I was too. But the funny thing is, once I was wheeled into the OR, I was out within a minute! Next thng I knew, I was awake and it was over! Just consider the operation an hour nap! :-D

@@brather, I was sleeved the same day. I have lost 4 lbs but I feel good about it, since the hospital puts Water weight on and it takes a few days for that to go.

I am 6 days post op, and I have pain in the largest incision area which is on my right side about 6 inches below my breast. It hurts when I get up from sitting mostly. And bending over. I think its normal, but it does worry me as well sometimes, when the pain is stinging or like tearing. The pain is well below the incision surface.

I have the same issue. It hurts pretty bad for a few seconds. I can understand why we are on liquids at this stage- regular food wold be impossible.

@@morg199, I was prescribed beneprotein powder combined with carnation instant Breakfast for my shakes. I am not enjoying them at all, just tolerating them, I do manage to get 2-3 of them down a day. I am supposed to drink 3. I wonder of your fullness and stomach ache is due to still having swelling? In any case, I am looking forward to soft foods, so that these shakes are only supplimental.

Pretty much all of what nrdgrl said. And I will add: Hiking and running with my husband. Going out to eat and not feeling judged. Reducing the risk of heart problems (runs in the family).

I will wait to hear from the experienced on this but like you, I was sleeved 6 days ago. I had the same question because I drink about 12 ounces in 20-30 minutes. I am wondering if it is that liquids are leaving the stomach quickly? So maybe the liquids are moving through the stomach before we finish those 12 ounces. Just a thought!

I am 6 days post op, and I have had that same feeling. Especially the first three days after surgery. It hurts and feels like a spasm. I think like suzzzz said it is caused by swelling. When we swallow it is so narrow at the stomach opening that it hurts until it gets into the stomach. I'm no doctor but that's what I have thought, and now 6 days past surgery that feeling is getting a lot better and way less frequent.

@@PorkChopExpress, the meatballs sound terrific! Question: On full liquids I am easily able to drink 4-6 oz in 30 minutes. Does the food being solid (or semi solid, mushed) make it so that you are full with just a meatball and spoon of potatoes? It's so much less than the amount of liquid I can drink.

coffee was the one thing I had a HUGE problem giving up on my pre-op. I followed the diet strictly with the one exception- I allowed myself a half cup of coffee in the morning with almond milk. Now, post op, I don't crave it as much. I actually enjoy hot tea more!

My surgeon was Dr Michael Lara of Del Sol, El Paso. Great surgeon, ZERO complications, and he is personable. The who staff there at Del Sol is professional and friendly. Highly recommended!!

I am 5 days post op. I have read that the hospital can put Water weight on you and you shouldn't look at the scale till a week past surgery. I am just curious as to when you all started seeing scale move in the right direction. My weight on surgery day was 219 and 5 days post op I am 218. When will the weight loss kick in?

@@KristenLe, I am taking prescribed pepcid every morning. So far no issues with reflux, etc. I do think head hunger is kicking in. @@PorkChopExpress, I think you right about the mourning of food I usded to eat. The feeling gets bad in the evenings, which is when my husband and kids are eating dinner, and I am consuming liquids. Its a bit sad, but I know I will get over it and used to it. @@gidgetgrl, I think I am in your camp. I was on two weeks liquid pre-op and two weeks post op so that is a full month of liquids. I am happy to hear that you started feeling satisfied once you started on solids. That is my hope! And like you, I need to give up my love affair with food. @@GinaCampbell, thanks for your input! From day one, I never had the food repulsion. Happy to hear that you are past that and can eat healthy! I am five days post op so I think I have to just wait and see how things go. Thanks all..